Bills
Clean Energy Budget Amendments
Bill #: H.4950
Session: 2017-2018
Topics:
Energy
Rep. James Smith (D-Columbia) introduced two amendments to the annual budget bill focused on addressing energy planning issues for the PSC and utility generation development.
How Legislators Voted on H.4950
Votes:
- + Pro Conservation Vote
- - Anti Conservation Vote
- EA Excused Absence
- NV Not Voting
- NA Not in Office
- A Abstained (Conflict of Interest)
H.4950 Prudency Budget Amendment (Adoption)
Rep. James Smith (D-Columbia) introduced a “prudency” amendment to the House budget (amendment 38a) in order to provide a second vehicle to ensure this critical legal concept is codified this legislative session (note that H.4375 also addresses this concept).
This amendment defines imprudence and prudence in regard to utility contracts and cost decisions – establishing a clear standard or test for which expenses will be deemed “prudent” and therefore may be included in rates charged to customers. For example, many have argued that expenses on the VC Summer project were not prudent and, therefore, these costs should not be passed on to ratepayers. The Base Load Review Act, however, extended near permanent prudency to all VC Summer related costs.
This budget amendment, if adopted, will help to avoid another VC Summer nuclear debacle and moves SC away from the utility-friendly system that was created with the misguided passage of the BLRA in 2007. The BLRA was pushed through the legislature in 2007 to allow utilities to charge ratepayers for nuclear generation projects before they were completed. The law set up a system that guaranteed a rate of return for the utilities and put ratepayers at risk for a failed project.
- This is a Pro-Conservation Amendment to the Budget.
- The Pro-Conservation Vote was YES for adoption of the amendment
- The Amendment was adopted by the House on 5/2/18, but failed to make it in the final version of the budget.
- + Pro Conservation Vote
- - Anti Conservation Vote
- EA Excused Absence
- NV Not Voting
- NA Not in Office
- A Abstained (Conflict of Interest)
H.4950 IRP Budget Amendment (Adoption)
Rep. James Smith (D-Columbia) introduced Amendment 36a to the budget in order to improve the Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) process at the Public Service Commission. After the amended budget’s passage, The Public Service Commission (PSC) will ensure that utilities look for the lowest cost options to address energy planning needs by requiring utilities to consider energy efficiency and renewable energy resources when looking for lowest cost options as well as ensuring the PSC incorporates cost-saving renewable and efficiency efforts into their orders and decisions. As we strive for a more efficient, renewable-based clean energy future, this is an important regulatory step forward. The amendment was adopted by the House 62-40 on May 2, 2018.
- This is a Pro-Conservation Amendment to the Budget.
- The Pro-Conservation Vote was YES for adoption of the amendment
- The Amendment was adopted by the House on 5/2/18, but failed to make it in the final version of the budget.